TEAM HERALD
OLD GOA: Have all panchayats utilised the funds sanctioned by the State government as part of the Golden Jubilee package?
Claiming that Corlim Panchayat had failed to utilize the one-time grant in aid of Rs 10.5 lakh, Corlim-based social activist Baptist Pereira has requested the Panchayats Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to initiate action against all those panchayats who have failed to utilize the one-time grant in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Goa’s Liberation.
“Corlim Panchayat has failed to utilize the one-time grant in aid of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively sanctioned by the government,” stated Baptist in a letter.
“Corlim lacks in terms of infrastructure and development and the amount sanctioned for the purpose has lapsed and it is time for the panchayat to return the unused money of Rs 10,47,360 back to the State government treasury,” he said.
Baptist claimed that the records obtained by him under the RTI Act indicated that an amount of only Rs 2,640 had been spent towards Batatawadas and tea supplied by a self help group.
“Though Corlim is way behind as far as infrastructure and development is concerned compared to other villages, Corlim Panchayat has miserably failed to utilize the funds placed on the platter. Therefore, there is a need to reject such non-performing representatives,” demanded Baptist.
When contacted, Corlim Deputy Sarpanch Victor Pereira refuted the allegations made by Baptist.
“Baptist, who is a social activist and a voter from my ward, is trying to malign my image and that of the panchayat with such issues, because he is a defeated candidate in Ward 6,” said Victor.
Commenting on the Golden Jubilee package, Victor said that most bills submitted by the earlier panchayat had no proper records and hence, they were not passed by the present body, leaving aside the snack bills.
“I have spoken to the Tiswadi BDO regarding the funds and the BDO informed me that the funds should be utilized before September 30. The panchayat has decided to use the balance amount for Independence Day celebrations by organizing various programmes,” informed Victor.
“I had mentioned these issues to Baptist over the phone when he had asked for details under RTI. Even regarding the issue of other fund of Rs 10 lakh, the panchayat has decided to come up with a park along with a walking track for children in front of the panchayat area,” added Victor.
He said there is still time till September 30 to make full use of the funds and some of the funds wpuld be utilized for the Independence Day celebrations in the village.
